Youth Who Victimise Their Parents

This is the second of two articles on the victimisation of parents by their children. The first article discussed the phenomenon itself, and then focused on interventions directed to the parents of victimising children. This article focuses more on working with young people who are exhibiting this form of behaviour. Some issues discussed are: viewing them as victims or victimisers; instrumental or expressive violence; causes of this behaviour; temperament; labels; attitudes engaging violent and defiant kids; challenging unacceptable behaviours; attitudes and exposure to DV; responsibility vs. entitlement; solution-focused questions. ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child! ’ (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 1, Scene IV)